Rishikesh - Gateway to Himalayas

Rishikesh:-
It is a city and a municipal board in Dehradun district now in the Indian state of Uttarakhand. Located in the foothills of the Himalayas in northern India, it is known as The Gateway to the Garhwal Himalayas.Rishikesh is surrounded by three other districts namely Tehri Garhwal, Pauri Garhwal and Haridwar. It is located approximately 20 km north of the holy city Haridwar.
Rishikesh is also the known as Gateway to the Himalayas. A sacred town at the convergence of rivers Ganges and Chandrabhaga, Rishikesh is a naturally attractive place at the foothills of the lower Himalayas in

the state of Uttaranchal in India. Rishikesh is the starting point for travelling to the four Chota Char Dham Pilgrimage Destination in Uttarakhand. The importance of this holy city lies in the fact that it serves as a gateway to other religiously important centers like Kedarnath, Gangotri, Badrinath and Yamunotri. Rishikesh is famous for its temples, yoga and meditation, rafting and other adventure activities among tourists. The Rishikesh City is Surrounded by the three main districts namely Tehri Garhwal , Pauri Garhwal and Haridwar in State of Uttarkhand in North India. Rafting season starts from the month of March and ends in September.


History of Rishikesh:-
Going by the etymology, the sound of the name of the place in itself acts like an ablution for souls. Pronounced as ‘Hrishikesh’, the word breaks into ‘Hrishik’ meaning senses and ‘Ish’ meaning Master,

joining to give complete meaning as ‘Master / Lord of Senses’ which refers to Lord Vishnu. There are various legends rooted in mythologies are associated with the places, making traveling to it more fun and learning.

It is associated with Ram. According to legend, hare he came on the advice of sage Vasishtha to do penance for killing Ravana. the king of Lanka. There are scores of ancient temples and ashrams affording spiritual solace to pilgrims, the important among them being temple of Bharata Pushkar temple, Shatrughan temple, Lahkhsmana temple, Geeta Bhawan and the Punjab Kshetra. Rishikesh, also known as the “place of sagas” is a spiritual town situated 24 kms upstream from Haridwar, at the confluence of the Chandrabhaga and Ganga. It is believed that God by the name of “Hrishikesh” had appeared as an answer to the hard penances by Rabhiya Rishi and henceforth the place derived its name.
Another legend says that fierce fire broke out here. Lord Shankar was angry with Lord Agni and cursed him. Then Lord Agni prayed here for the expiation of his sins. Hence it is also known as Agni Tirth – The holy place to penance of Lord Agni or Fire God.

 It is the starting point for the Char Dham pilgrimage and an ideal destination not only for pilgrims but also for the people who are interested in medtation, yoga and other aspects of Hinduism.


Temples in Rishikesh:-
Legend of Neelkanth Mahadev Mandir :-
According to Hindu mythology it was the place where Shiva drank up the venom (which emanated during the ' Samudra Manthan') churned out of the ocean, to save the world from the evil, death and destruction. It is said that Lord Shiva had the immense capacity to stop the venom from entering his body and thus reserved it
in his throat forever. The poison did not harm him but turned his throat murky blue, thus giving Shiva the name of Neelkanth. It is believed that the event occurred here in this place where the temple is located.

The temple of Neelkanth Mahadev is situated at a distance of 12 km from Rishikesh among the snow capped mountains and forests. Rishikesh holds immense importance in the religious lives of devout Hindus.




Bharat Mandir:-
The temple has been named after Lord Ram's second brother ‘Bharat'; however the presiding deity of this temple is Lord Vishnu, ‘the Preserver'.

The statue of God Narayana (Vishnu), enshrined in Bharat mandir, is of black stone, carved out from a single piece of Saligram. The image has a noticeably Himalayan appearance. Though the temple's main deity is Lord Vishnu, it holds a number of other illustrations as well, generally related to Lord Shiva, the Destroyer. The idol of Lord Hrishikesh Bharatji is also installed in this temple. The idol was obscured in the Maya Kund of the temple, in order to save it from the attack of the Boddha people.

Every year, on the day of Basant Panchami, the idol of Lord Hrishikesh is taken out, in a holy procession, for a dip in the sacred water of river Ganga.




Kunjapuri Devi temple:-
Kunjapuri Devi temple is considered as one of the 52 Shaktipeeth / Shaktipeetha/ Shaktipeetham .Kunja Puri, one of the thitrteen most important Goddesses of Shivalik range , the lower Himalayas.One can witness

excellent sunrise or sun set on the Greater Hiamalayan Peaks and the vast Indo Gangetic plains . One can see almost all the peaks of Garhwal Himalayas from here e.g Banderpunch ,Swarga Rohini , Gangotri ,Chaukhamba .



Surkanda Devi:-
Situated at an elevation of 3030 mts above sea level near village Kaddukhal the temple of Surkanda Devi is 33 kms from Kaddukhal and one has to trek about 2 kms. The temple of Surkanda Devi is situated on the top of the mountain and is of great religious significance. A fair is held every year on “Ganga Dussehra” during May-June in which thousands of people participate.



Triveni Ghat :-
 Thousands of Devotees take a holy dip bath and and enjoy the Maha Aarti being performed daily in the morning and evening time respectively. Triveni Ghat is a well known bathing ghat of Rishikesh, is a
confluence of three sacred rivers that are Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati. According to the beliefs, a dip in water at this ghat washes away all the sins and purifies the soul.



Shri Triyambakeshwara Temple:-
Lord Shiva is believed to have manifested himself as one of the 12 twelve Jyotirlinga by the name Trayambakeshwara, which means ‘Three Eyed One’ referring to the Lord with three eyes, i.e. Shiva. Placed on the banks of River Ganga, temple leaves devotees with a calm mind not possible everywhere.



Hanuma Mandir:-
Hanuman Mandir (Temple) located at Maya Kund,Another important Hanuman Temple is at Sivanandnagar. Other important temples in Rishikesh include the Pushkar Temple, the Venketshwara Temple and the two 'modern' temples across the Ganga at Lakshman Jhoola. One of these temples is an imposing 13-storeyed structure with many smaller temples in each storey.

A temple which has come up on the right bank of Ganga has arguably the world's biggest Shiva Lingam.

Raghunath Mandir:-
Raghunath Mandir (Temple) near by Triveni Ghat, It is the most important places for religious ceremonies in Rishikesh. It is believed that the Ganga is joined here by the Yamuna and the Saraswati Rivers. Geographically, however, the Yamuna joins the Ganga in Allahabad. The dusk Aarti on the Triveni Ghat is most impressive.


"Siva lingam on the bank of river is most beautiful. The Ganges flow from that lingam.It is near to Chinna jeer Ashram."


Ganga Aarti in Rishikesh:-

Aarti in Trivani Ghat:-
The Aarti ceremony at Trivani Ghat takes place daily at dusk. An Awe-inspiring sight, when flame of belief illuminates the entire environment and the mind and body rejuvenated by the hymns recited in praise of the Ganges. Devotees release flower-filled leaf boats carrying tiny oil lamps and let them float out on the river, which is the ceremony of worship, rememberance and hope.



Aarti in Parmarth Niketan Ashram:-
The ritual begins with singing of the devotional songs (bhajans) and prayers. After that a hawan is performed, which signifies offerings to the fire god- Agni. Then, all the lamps in the ashram are lit with the aarti as the final part of the entire ceremony. Besides this, the children sing softly along with the Parmarth ashram’s

spiritual head.
The Aarti is performed daily so that visitors and devotees are relieved from their strains and normal stress of everyday life. The main aim of the event is to meet together in peace, reverence and joy.




Rishikund:-
Close to Trivenighat is the most ancient place, the Rishikund. Anciant records relate this to Kubz Saint , who was blessed by the Goddess Yamuna by saturating this pond by its water.The pond reflects the temple of Ragunath , deidicated to lord Rama and his wife.







Ram Jhoola:-
A suspension bridge between the Shivanand Ashram and Swargashram. It provides an alternative to a boat ride from one bank of the Ganga to another.








Lakshman Jhula:-
Lakshman Jhula is one of the most sightseeing thing in and around Rishikesh. The Laxman Jhula is Constructed over Ganga River. It is Said that the Lakshman Jhula was built in 1939 after Lord Laxman crossed the Ganga river after killing Ravana. There are spectacular views from the bridge.






Devprayag:-
Devprayag is significant as one of the five sacred confluences in the hills, and the site is hailed as a place of considerable natural forces as well as spiritual forces. A Tour to Devprayag will introduce you to this holy
town, which essentially marks the beginning of the sacred Ganges River.





Ashram's in Rishikesh:-


Vashisht Cave:-
This ancient cave is situated at a distance of 25kms from Rishikesh on the road Devprayag.This cave is the
place of penance by sage Vashisht.






Swarg Ashram:-
The ‘Heavenly Abode’ is known for being the very place where all the rishi and sages have prayed and performed penance and meditation to get a glimpse of God. Situated amidst Mother Nature, the place is a divine invitation in itself.







Sivananda Ashram:-
Sivananda Ashram at Rishikesh is the headquarters of the Divine Life Society, a worldwide organization. Swami Sivananda founded the ashram in the year 1932. Initially a small structure, Sivananda Ashram has now evolved into a huge complex with a number of halls, a temple and Gurudev's Kutir. Any person inclined towards spirituality can join this ashram and spend his life in the service of others.





Omkarananda Ashram:-
Omkarananda Ashram , run by a group of Sanyasis (sages) and located at a place Muni-Ke-Reti the bank of river Ganges,
Omkarananda Ashram Himalayas is a spiritually focused non-political, scientific, cultural, educational, humanitarian, Charitable Trust, which persistently strives to provide untiring selfless service for spiritual enhancement and to create an infinite source of happiness and bliss through God realization in daily life.The Ashram was established by Sage and Philosopher Swami Omkarananda who is an embodiment of highest spirituality, with the prime objective to love, serve and help all equally.


Gita Bhawan:-
Gita Bhawan is situated on the banks of the holy river Ganges, amidst the Himalayan mountains at Swargashram, Rishikesh. It consists of a very large complex comprising discourse halls and over 1000 rooms available free of charge for the stay of devotees. Regular discourses are organised. A large number of

devotees visit and stay here for holy Ganges dip, listening to discourses and sadhana & meditation. During the summer months (end -April to early-July), day-long special Satsang programs are arranged and devotees flock in thousands to attend it.
The ancient Banyan tree within the complex deserves mention. It has been a site for penance of various saints like Swami Ramtirth. Presently, the tree and the surrounding woods on the banks of the Ganges, offer many quiet and peaceful spots for sadhana and meditation. Two well-built bathing-ghats in front of Gita Bhawan 1 and 3 provide young and old, the opportunity for a holy dip in the Ganges.


Kaudiyala :-
 Nestled amongst the dense forests on the Rishikesh-Badrinath route at an altitude of 480 m, Kaudiyala is a centre for adventure/water sports, particularly white water rafting. There is also ample opportunity to view
wildlife in its natural habitat.




Route to Rishikesh: -
Rishikesh is just 24 Kms from Haridwar.

Air :-
The nearest airport to Rishikesh is Jolly Grant. This small airport is situated at a distance of about 24 km from the main Rishikesh town. However, air is not the preferred mode of transport for getting into the town. Reach Delhi International airport in India and take a train or bus route to Rishikesh.

Rail :-
Rishikesh is well connected with all the major towns and cities of India though some of the links can only be accessed from Haridwar.

Road :-
Rishikesh is 6 hours (250 kms) by bus from Delhi. Buses depart regularly throughout the day from ISBT. Rishikesh is very well connected by a network of roads to all major towns of Uttaranchal and surrounding areas.

Shopping in Rishikesh: - 
Being a pilgrimage place, the glamour of big shop bargains are absent but Rishikesh offers you handicraft items made of shells, beads and pearls. Sarees, kurtas, sheets and rugs can be purchased from here. You can buy these items from the government approved U.P handloom shop, Khadi Bhandar, Garhwal wool and craft shop etc.

Gods Gateway -Haridwar

HARIDWAR:-


Haridwar meaning ‘Gateway to God’ is one of the seven holiest places of the Hindus, located on the banks of River Ganges. It is the place where river Ganga descends to the plains. Haridwar is also spelled as Hardwar or Hari-Dwar.


A paradise for nature-lovers, Haridwar presents kaleidoscope of Indian culture and civilization. Haridwar also termed as 'Gateway to Gods' is known as Mayapuri, Kapila, Gangadwar as well. The followers of Lord Shiva(Har) and followers of Lord Vishnu(Hari) pronounce this place Hardwar and Hardwar respectively as told by some. It is also a point of entry to Dev Bhoomi and Char Dham (Four main centers of pilgrimage in
Uttarakhand) Viz. Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri. Haridwar is a typical place to start a pilgrim's journey.
Haridwar is also known as the home of Devi Sati and the palace of her father Daksha. In ancient times, the town was referred to as Gangadwára  the place where the Ganges descends to the plains.


History of Haridwar:-
Archaeological finding have proved that terracotta culture dating between 1700 B.C. and 1200 B.C. existed in this region.

Legendary king Bhagirath is said to have brought the river Ganga from heaven to earth in order to provide salvation to his ancestors. It is also said that Haridwar has been sanctified by the presence of three Gods; Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh. Lord Vishnu is said to have his foot print on the stone that is set in the upper wall of Har-Ki-Pauri where the Holy Ganga touches it all the times . Devout believers feel that they can go to heaven by getting their salvation after a dip in the sacred Ganga at Haridwar.
Ganga trickled forth from Lord Shiva's locks and its bountiful water revived the sons of King Sagara. In the tradition of Bhagirath, devout Hindus stand in the sacred waters here, praying for salvation of their ancestors.

Haridwar is also one of the four places where drops of Amrit or nectar fell from the pitcher which was being carried by Garuda, the heavenly bird and the spot is known as Brahma Kund or Har-ki-Pauri.

Har-ki-Pauri is the most holy place in Haridwar where thousands of devotees take a dip. It is believed that Prince Bhagirath served self-punishment here to rescue the souls of his ancestors who had died due to the curse of Kapil Muni. His prayers were answered and Ganga flowed from the locks of Lord Shiva and revived the sons of King Sagara. Therefore, according to the Hindus salvation of the ancestors can be reached by standing on the holy waters at Har-ki-pauri.

Har-ki-pauri is the most important place of Haridwar where thousands of people take a dip in the holy waters of the Ganges. At twilight, when evening aarti is performed the reflection of the golden diyas that keep floating on the river offers an enchanting view of the ghat to the visitors.

As per the Hindu mythology, Haridwar is fortuned with the footprints of the angelic Gods, thereby representing the land as Mayapuri, Gangadwar, and Mokshadwar. This prominent Hindu pilgrimage destination is the gateway to other three prominent holy chardham destinations of Uttrakhand namely, Rishikesh, Badrinath and Kedarnath. The godly land scintillates during the famous Kumbh mela, organized by devotees after every 12 years and also with the similar Ardha Kumbha Mela is held after every six years. Pilgrims welcome the daily dusk with an eventing aarti on the bank of the pious river Ganga, which is believed to carry the stone cuts marked with the footprints of Lord Vishnu. This beautiful has been grabbing million people since the period of Lord Buddha and till today, the place holds all its religious and cultural aspects in a unique style.



Kumbhamela in Haridwar:-
Hardwar town is the gateway to the abode of Gods. The mythological and religious importance of Hardwar is well known.  The 'Kumbh' and the 'Ardh Kumbh' fairs are held periodically, every twelveth and sixth year in Hardwar, when a large number of pilgrims and devotees converge to commemorate this divine event.

According to astrologers, the 'Kumbh Fair' takes place when the planet Jupiter enters Aquarius and the Sun enters Aries. According to mythology, 'Devas' (Gods) and 'Asuras' (Demons) churned the ocean to obtain

Nectar and when the coveted 'Kumbha' (pitcher) of Nectar (Amrita) which gave immortality was obtained from the depths of ocean, one of the 'Devas' whisked away the 'Kumbha' from the 'Asuras' and evading from the 'Asuras', stopped at four places viz. Hardwar, Allahabad (Prayag), Nasik and Ujjain before he finally arrived into the safety of heaven. It is referred as the Mayapuri, Gangadwar, Mokhsadwar in ancient writings.
A few drops of Nectar are supposed to have spilled over on the water at these four places and sages, saints and pilgrims started periodically to flock to each of these 'Tirthas' to celebrate the divine event. In fact , it is a unique event that blends religious and social features alike.



Though the Ganges does not lose its rapids completely nevertheless it becomes very quite and calm here. The water is clean and people prefer taking bath on the numerous ghats built on the river shores. It is said that taking bath here purifies the soul and opens the way for the ultimate freedom, Nirvana.
Haridwar has earned fame as being the place which has been blessed by the trinity of Lord Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma. It is also one of the major Shaktipeeths.

Down the ages, Haridwar has purified the mind, the body and the soul. Not only in spiritual or religious terms Haridwar has come up as a major learning center for arts, science and culture. This place has maintained the Gurukul tradition of teaching. This ancient tradition of teaching has maintained its fervour in Haridwar.
Haridwar has since ages been a source of Ayurvedic medicines and has been providing herbal remedies. Haridwar one of the first towns to be developed on Ganges is still lush and green with forest and trees. With Rajaji Park in the vicinity Haridwar has also been the destination for the wildlife and nature lovers. The city acquires a unique charm in the evening when the ghats become breath takingly beautiful with thousands of Diyas and Marigold floating in the waters of Ganges.



Haridwar is one of the first towns where Ganga emerges from the mountains to touch the planes. And that's why the water is crystal clear and cool. Lush green forests and small ponds add to the scenic beauty of this holy land. The Rajaji National Park is just 10 kms from Haridwar. Its an ideal destination for wild life and adventure lovers. In the evening the ghats look breathtakingly beautiful as thousands of diyas (lamps) and marigold flowers float and illuminate the holy waters.

Temples in Haridwar:-

The temple is more popular among visitors because it completes the Siddhapeeth Triangle in Haridwar along with the temples Mansa Devi and Chandi Devi. A pilgrim's visit to Haridwar is deemed to be incomplete without visiting the Mansa Devi Temple.

Manasa Devi Temple:-
It was buit in 1811-1815 A.D by Maharaja Gopal Singh of Mani Majra.The Mansa Devi temple happens to be one of the oldest holy places in the town of Haridwar. It is visited by tourists from all corners of the world. Dedicated to goddess Mansa Devi, the temple occupies a wonderful position atop the Bilwa Parvat. The temple is mostly popular for having wishes fulfilled. It is said that pilgrims who pray to the goddess with a pure heart can get their desires fulfilled by the blessings of goddess Mansa Devi.
While visiting the temple, you can never miss a visit to a holy tree which lies close by. Pilgrims don't forget to tie threads around this tree. It is said that tying threads around the tree can fulfill one's wishes by the grace of goddess Mansa Devi. In addition to paying a visit to the temple, visitors and pilgrims can also enjoy a heart-stirring view of the entire Haridwar town from the top of the Bilwa Parvat.



Maya Devi Temple:-
The temple has an ancient history. It's mythological history goes long back to the 11th century. Maya Devi, to whom the temple is dedicated, is believed to be the goddess of shakti (meaning power).
Sati's navel fell down where the Maya Devi temple is located today. That's how the Maya Devi Temple came into existence. It is due to this reason that Hindus from all parts of the world hold this temple in high regard.



                                         








Chandi Devi Mandir:-
It was built in 1929 by Suchat Singh by Adi Shankaracharya.The temple carries a lot of significance, as it has the privilege of being counted among the famous Shaktipeethas in Norther India. If you want to have a wish fulfilled, you can pay a visit to the holy temple of Chandi Devi and pray to goddess Chandi Devi. Both Hindus and foreign tourists from all around the world visit the temple of Chandi Devi to see the goddess'
blessings.

The temple has a wonderful legend associated with it. According to the Hindu mythology, Lord Indra's kingdom was taken over by two demon kings named Shumbh and Nishumbh. When the demon kings crossed their limits, Chandi Devi was given birth from the cells of goddess Parvati.


Parad Shivling:-
The words 'Parad Shivling' have been derived from 'parad' (meaning mercury) and 'shivalinga' (a sacred symbol of Lord Shiva). That's why, the Parad Shivling is also sometimes referred to as the Mercury Shivalinga. Among other holy sites of Pilgrimage in Haridwar, this shivlingam has a lot of religious significance. Since Lord is the supreme god in the Shiva tradition, Hindus can never afford to miss a visit to
the Parad Shivling.

Though the shivlingam is the major attraction here, visitors also view the Rudrakhsha tree which has stood here for many years. Hindus believe that rudraksha (the seeds of the holy tree) can heal a wide range of ailments. Devotees who come here don't miss to collect the rudraksha from this tree. They wear the rudraksha to get rid of multiple problems in their lives.



Bharat Mata Mandir (Mother India):-
It was built by Swami Satyamitranand Giri in 15 May 1983 .Height 180 feet (55 m).
ft. The first floor or storey features the statue of Mother India, hence named Bharat Mata Mandir. The second floor is dedicated to all the freedom fighters of India. The third storey stands in dedication of some of the most revered women of India including Meera Bai, Savitri and Maitri. The fourth floor, named Sant Mandir, features all the great saints of Jainism, Sikhism and Buddhism.

The fifth floor of the Bharat Mata Mandir is known as the Assembly Hall. The floor is representation of the co-existence of all the faiths followed in the Indian subcontinent. The sixth storey of the Bharat Mata Temple is dedicated to Hindu goddess of Shakti.The eight floor, which is the uppermost in the Bharat Mata temple, is dedicated to Lord Shiva.

 Daksha Mahadev Temple:-
 Daksha Mahadev Temple (Daksh Prajapati Mandir) Year 1810 by the queen of Dhankaur.
The ancient temple of Daksha Mahadev is situated in the south Kankhal town .The mythological story about this place is that King Daksha Prajapati, father of Sati (Lord Shiva 's first wife ) performed yagya at this place. Daksha Prajapati did not invite Lord Shiva and Sati felt insulted . Therefore she burnt herself in the yagya Kund . This incident provoked the disciples and followers of Mahadev who killed King Daksha, but later on Lord Mahadev brought him back to life. Daksha Mahadev temple is thus a tribute to this legend.


Pawan Dham Temple:-
Pawan Dham Temple (a branch of Geeta Bhawan Trust Society (Redg.) Moga Punjab
Founder: Swami Vedantanand ji Maharaj.The fascinating beauty of the temple itself defines the great work of
art. The wonderful work of glasses and artistically designed walls are the main reasons of its popularity. Ultimately, the aesthetical work describes the rich culture and heritage of the ancient India. A holy visit of to the ancient temple is believed to make oneself free from one's sin.


Doodhadhari Barfani (Mandir):-
The temple is visited both for its spiritual significance and architecture. Occupying a position in the Doodhadhari Barfani Ashram, the temple features a number of smaller temples inside the complex. These temples remain dedicated to different gods and goddesses of the Hindu pantheon. Hanuman Mandir and Ram Sita Mandair are also located inside the temple complex.


Shri Bilvkeshwar mahadev mandir:-
Shri Bilvkeshwar mahadev mandir is situated in the valley of Bilv parvat (bilv hill).Bilv is a tree which is quite sacred to Hindus.Its leaves represent the three eyes of Lord Shiva.It is the place where Mata Parvati worshiped for Lord Shiva for some 10,000 years.After completion of which she was married to Lord Shiva.The temple is situated near the haridwar railway station.

Shri Neeleshwar mahadev Mandir:-
Shri Neeleshwar mahadev Mandir is quite old temple,which is said to be built in Sat-Yuga.This temple is situated in the valleys of Neel parvat or the Blue hill and is the temple of Lord Shiva.





Maa Kali Mandir:-
Maa Kali Mandir is situted in a cave just 800 m east of Har ki Pauri.It is one of the oldest temples of
Haridwar. "Haridwar is home of countless temples. Some old, some new. Each and every temple is special in some or another way "





Sureshvari Devi Temple:-
Haridwar from Chilla Range, Rajaji National Park
Temple of Goddess Sureshwari, situated in midst of beautiful Rajaji National Park. Serene and religious
makes this temple abode of worshipers, saints etc. Located at outskirts of Haridwar in Ranipur and permission from forest rangers is necessary.



Famous Ghats:-
Haridwar is marked with some famous Ghats which have been drowned with the sacred belief of the devotees. One among the many is the Gau Ghat and a shower here is believed to washes away all the sins of slaughtering cows. Other religious Ghats are Kankhal, Nila Parvata, Bilwa Theertha, Gangadwara, Kusavarta and Hari-ki-Pauri. Every year lakhs of pilgrims visit the banks, splurge themselves into the holy water and receive a feeling of contentment and achievement.



Har-ki-pauri:-
The sacred ghat was constructed by King Vikramaditya in the memory of his brother Bhartrihari. The  
 golden reflection of floral diyas in the river Ganges is the most enchanting sight in the twilight during the Ganga's aarti ceremony at the ghat.




Gau Ghat:-
The Gau Ghat is situated on the southern part of the Subhash Ghat. Mythologically, the cow is known as "Kamadhenu". That fulfills the wishes of the desires. The people reach at this site to grant forgiveness for the sin of cow killing for foods. These formal events were celebrated with the holy act of a donation of a cow.
The act of killing of a cow is similar, of killing to a Brahmin. On any religious occasion people crowds the Gau Ghat for prayer. There is a fact that the ashes of Indira Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru and Mahatma Gandhi were blew at this ghat.



Asthi Parvath Ghat:-
The Asthi Parvath Ghat is located in the south of the Ganga temple. Peoples float the ashes of the dead persons in the sacred water of Ganga at this Ghat. They believe that as the 60000 thousand sons of Sagara got salvation in the cool water of Ganga. People first do the prayer and then they blow the ashes of their kin in the river. When the cannel is closed the beggars started finding the coins and gold which is blown in the river with the ashes.

Subhash Ghat :-
The Subhash Ghat is close to the Harki Pauri Ghat with a statue of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, one of the great freedom fighter of India. There is a voluntarily organized Sewa Samiti which provides helps to the pilgrims as a dispensary.

Sapt Rishi Ashram:-

Sapt Rishi Ashram is so named, as it is the place where sapt (meaning seven) rishis (meaning sages) had once performed meditation. The Hindu mythology records the names of these seven sages as Kashyapa, Vashisht, Gautam, Jamadagi, Vishwamitra, Bhardwaja and Atri.

Therefore, the site of the temple is where those seven rishis had chosen to meditate. Devotees hold this ashram in high esteem due to its religious significance. Even today, the ashram is a regular haunt of rishis, saints and sages from different parts of the world.

Shanti Kunj Ashram:-
It was built by Pt. Shriram Sharma in 1971. The Shanti Kunj Ashram has spread its branches throughout India and the world. The ashram's major target is rural areas.

The biggest attraction at Shanti Kunj is the teaching of Sanjeevani Viday (meaning the art of living). The

Ayurveda practitioners at the Shanti Kunj Ashram are known to provide free treatment to people who need it. The spiritual sanatorium at the ashram is the place where people learn how to live a life of complete peace and joy. Researchers at Shanti Kunj do a great job of applying spiritual science to improve the everyday life of people. The ashram aims to eradicate the social evils that our modern-day societies are struggling with.

Apart from the spiritual sanatorium, Shantikunj in Haridwar is also quite popular for its research laboratory called Brahmvarchas. Patients suffering from a wide range of mental disorders can avail of the free relief services at this laboratory, a major attraction at ShantiKunj. The ashram is located at 6 km from the Haridwar railway stations.

Ramanand Ashram:-
Situated in shravan nath nagar of the town near railway station, this is the main ashram of Ramanand Sampraday in Haridwar. Mahant Bhagwan Das is the chief of this ashram.



Anandamayi Maa Ashram:-
Situated in Kankhal, one of five sub-cities of Haridwar, the ashram houses the samadhi shrine of Sri
Anandamoyi Ma (1896–1982), a noted saint of India.


Ganga Aarti in Har Ki Pauri Ghat:-
Ganga Aarti in Hardwar city starts at around 6.30pm. 1 to 5 times Aarti is performed daily at the Har ki Pauri Ghat.

Loud speakers blare songs in praise of Ganga Maiya and Shiva. Lots of babas or sadhu are seen sitting in corners, hoping to get some donations from the devotees. People keep walking in all direction trying to find a good place to sit or stand. Hawkers sell wick lamps or diyas to float in the Ganges.

Aarti symbolize 5 thing mainly these are 1) ether (akash) 2) wind (vayu) 3) fire (agni) 4) water (jal) and 5) earth (pruthvi). In Sanskrit the meaning of "Aa" is "towards or to" and the meaning of "rati" is right or virtue". The Aarti is done in a clock wise manner around the Lord.

Ganga Aarti is a devotional ceremony that uses fire as an offering. It's usually made in the form of a lit lamp, and in the case of the Ganges River, a small diya with a candle and flowers that's floated down the river. The offering is made to the Goddess Ganga, as well lovingly referred to as Maa Ganga, goddess of the most holy river in India.



Haridwar Travel  Route:-
By Air :The nearest Airport to Haridwar is the Jolly Grant in Dehradun and is 52 km away from the town.. Visitors can opt to reach Delhi by rail or road and then catch a flight from Delhi to Haridwar.

By Rail :Rail is the most convenient path to reach Haridwar. A number of railway junction connects the town with different parts of the country. Some of them are the Ujjaini Express, Uttaranchal Express, Haridwar Allahabad Express and many more.

By Road : You can also travel to Haridwar by road. National Highway 45 passes through the Haridwar town and connects Delhi. Also a number of State transport buses, delux buses and private taxis are available for a long distance travel from Delhi to the destination.

Haridwar from Major Cities
Delhi - 214 km
Rishikesh - 24 km
Dehradun - 52 km
Mussoorie - 90 km
Yamunotri - 240 km
Kedarnath - 250 km
Badrinath - 290 km

Haridwar Climate (Weather):-
Haridwar - has a pleasant climate for many months of the year. As its location is in the hilly terrains, the climate never becomes extreme type. Thus Haridwar is one such tourist spot that can be visited any time of the year. There are frequent precipitation that takes place. The annual mean rainfall in Haridwar is about 2136.7 mm.

Climate in summer:- In the months of summer the temperature in Haridwar varies from 35 degrees to 45 degrees Celsius. Summer season is mild and moderate followed by a good rainfall in monsoon.
Haridwar in Winters: The temperature ranges from 10 degrees to 30 degrees Celsius in the months of winter. The weather of Haridwar often becomes unpredictable. The winters are very cold in Haridwar. Wollen clothing is essential during this period.
Climate in Monsoon:- Monsoon season is from July to September and during this time most activities are suspended due to the heavy blast of rains. Rainfall is highest in the month of August. During the month of October and November the conditions are pleasant and temperate.
Best Time  to visit  Haridwar:-The ideal time to make a trip to Haridwar is between the months of September and April.